AFTER 19 highly successful years, The Beautiful South called it a day in 2007 humorously citing “musical similarities” as the reason for the split. It marked the close of the second chapter of band leader Paul Heaton’s career - his first having been as leader/singer of The Housemartins - opening the way for his ‘third act’, that of solo artist.

PAUL HEATON has enjoyed a 30 year career as leader of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, and as a solo artist. Showing no signs of stopping, he is going back on tour this autumn, re-united with Beautiful South co-vocalist Jacqui Abbott.